The Book Of Galatians Part 1 Apostolic Authority Established. Gospel Of Christ Given.

We come now to Paul's letter to the churches of Galatia which is the name of a Roman province.

Notable cities in the province include Lystra, Derbe, Antioch of Pisidia, and Iconium.

Little is known about trade and commerce in Galatia but the southern portion of the province had major Roman roads that facilitated trade and travel.

Paul's letter was to all the churches in Galatia rather than being addressed to a specific church like Rome or Corinth.

Let us follow Paul's missionary journey as God guided him to plant some churches in Galatia.

Paul preached a sermon in the Jews synagogue at Antioch in Pisidia.

Acts 13:13-16  Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem. 14)  But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down. 15)  And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on. 16)  Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience. 

The content of Paul's sermon was very similar to Peter's sermon preached at Pentecost (See Acts 2). 

He outlined the history of the Jewish nation and made sure they knew that they crucified Christ, their Messiah.

Some Jews and many Gentiles believed on the Lord Jesus Christ. At the next sabbath a vast throng of people gathered to hear Paul preach from the scriptures.

Unbelieving Judaizers were jealous, angry and mounted fierce opposition. This was a common pattern during Paul's missionary travels.

Some opposed the gospel but some Jews and many Gentiles believed. 

Act 13:46-52  Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. 47)  For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. 48)  And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. 49)  And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region. 50)  But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts. 51)  But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium. 52)  And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.

When many Jews obstinately rejected the gospel of Christ, Paul and Barnabas were emboldened by the Holy Spirit. 

They boldly announced that the glorious gospel of Christ would be preached to the Gentiles.

Luke tells us that when the Gentiles heard this they rejoiced and many were born again.

This is the historical entrance of the gospel of Christ into the province of Galatia. The Word of God was published throughout that region of Galatia.

The word "published" means that the gospel was carried by many different people in many different directions out of Antioch of Pisidia.

Strong opposition caused Paul, Barnabas and Luke to leave Antioch of Pisidia. 

Much like the twelve disciples Jesus sent out preaching the gospel, they shook off the dust of their feet as a witness against the Jews (See Matthew 10:14; Luke 9:5).

All new converts to Christ were filled with the Spirit of God and had great joy.

Paul and his companions traveled on to Iconium. 

A pattern of gospel preaching, many conversions and opposition continued.

Acts 14:1-7  And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed. 2)  But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren. 3)  Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands. 4)  But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles. 5)  And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them, 6)  They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about: 7)  And there they preached the gospel.

Paul, Barnabas and Luke experienced the same outcome at Iconium. 

Paul preached the gospel in the Jewish synagogue and many Jews believed on the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Many Gentiles also believed but unbelieving Jews stirred up resistance by other Gentiles.

Paul and his company stayed in that place for a long time preaching the gospel of Christ. 

In addition, Luke tells us many signs and wonders were done by Paul and Barnabas.

The city remained divided. 

Some believed the gospel and followed Paul while others rejected the gospel and fought against those who preached the good news.

Eventually, Paul recognized that they had to move to the next city which was Lystra.

Paul stoned at Lystra but God raised him up and the mission continued.

Acts 14:19-23  And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. 20)  Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. 21)  And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, 22)  Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. 23)  And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. 

Paul and Barnabas preached the gospel of Christ in Lystra. Christ rejecting Jews from Antioch and Iconium arrived at Lystra and led the people to stone Paul. 

They left him for dead and the other companions of Paul stood by perplexed and unsure of what to do.

However, God revived His apostle and they returned to their sending church, visiting new church plants along the way.

I share this context with you because Paul's letter to the Galatians addresses a severe crisis of faith.  

Christ rejecting Judaizers traveled throughout Galatia attempting to sway new Christians to Judaism.

Paul's strong apostolic greeting to the churches in Galatia. 

Galatians 1:1-2  Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) 2  And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia: 

Paul's apostolic greeting is more forceful than usual. He heavily emphasized that he was commissioned as an apostle by the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Paul's commission from Christ points to much travel and great suffering.

Acts 9:15-16  But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel. 16)  For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. 

A senior saint named Ananias dwelling at Damascus was given a vision by Jesus. 

The Lord told him to go and find a man named Saul and to lay hands on him that Paul might receive sight.

Ananias knew the evil intentions of Saul and made his fears known to our Lord.

Jesus reassured Ananias and in doing so, Christ gave His commission for Paul's ministry.

Jesus chose Saul (Now Paul) to preach the gospel of Christ to Gentiles, to kings and to the Jewish people.

If you have read through the book of Acts, you know that this is exactly how Paul's ministry was carried out.

In addition, Jesus told Ananias that He would show Paul great sufferings and afflictions that he would endure for the sake of Jesus' name.

Again, the historical record in Acts tells us that no other apostle suffered more hardship than Paul did.

Secondly, Paul mentions "many brethren" that were in his presence as he wrote to the churches of Galatia. 

This formal act would serve to put the Galatian churches on notice that Paul was going to exercise the authority God gave him to use.

This is equivalent to establishing the truth of his communication by two or three witnesses (See Deuteronomy 17:6-7; 19:15; Matthew 18:15-20).

Thus, Paul's letter to churches in Galatia begins on a solemn note because the churches were in need of strong correction.

Paul gave us a clear statement of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Galatians 1:3-5  Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, 4)  Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: 5)  To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 

In a few lines of scripture, the Spirit of God guided Paul to write a clear and succinct summary of the gospel of Christ. 

Jesus suffered greatly and died in our place, fulfilling the pictures of redemption God gave in the Passover Lamb (See Exodus 12), the two goats (See Leviticus 16:6-22) and Abraham sacrificing his only son Isaac (See Genesis 22).

Jesus was the perfect, voluntary, innocent substitute for all humanity. He died to pay for our sins by shedding the blood of God on the cross (See Acts 20:28).

Jesus delivers us from sin, death, hell, the grave and this present evil world. 

He enables us to walk in newness of life with a new heart and a new spirit and a new purpose. 

This is all by and for the glory of God.

Grace is the merciful kindness shown as God exerts His holy influence upon sinners to turn them to Christ when they hear the gospel. 

God's grace keeps, strengthens and increases believers in the Christian faith. 

God's grace brings a right knowledge and love of God and leads us to seek all Christian virtues in the Bible.

The glorious grace of God and its life changing impact in our heart.

Ephesians 2:8-10  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9)  Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10)  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 

We are saved by grace so that we might rightly love and serve God. 

Grace is received by faith and Paul tells us that God's great gifts to mankind are based upon His grace.

Our salvation is not earned by doing something to earn God's favor. 

By grace, Christ Jesus has done everything required to save us from our sins. 

Therefore, it is a grave insult to our Father in heaven to suggest that we can add something to the cross of Christ. 

Salvation is not of works but is freely offered by God to all who hear and heed the gospel by grace. 

New birth brings new life in Christ and new priorities for how we live. Our Heavenly Father has work planned for each Christian to engage in.

God justifies us freely by His grace through our faith in Jesus Christ.

Romans 3:21-26  But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22)  Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23)  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24)  Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25)  Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26)  To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 

We are fully justified or declared righteous by God, by His grace through faith in the propitiating work of Jesus Christ on the cross.

We have peace with God through faith in Christ and stand securely on God's grace (See Romans 5:1-2).

We receive spiritual gifts according to the measure of grace God gave us (See Romans 12:6).

God gives grace to us in order that we might abound in the gospel work He has for us to do (See 2 Corinthians 9:8).

We have redemption through Christ's blood and the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of God's grace (See Ephesians 1:7).

We are to let the Word of God dwell in our hearts abundantly so that we might sing  hymns of praise to our Father with hearts full of grace  (See Colossians 3:16).

Jesus Christ died on the cross, having received the wages of our sins which is death, by the grace of God toward mankind (See Hebrews 2:9).

Believers in Christ can come boldly to the throne of God which is a throne of grace so that we may receive mercy and grace to help us in our times of need (See Hebrews 4:12-16).

Grace brings new life, new beginnings and new purpose to a child of God.

2 Corinthians 5:17-21  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18)  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19)  To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20)  Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21)  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 

All people since the fall of man, are born as sinners who inherit a sin nature from Adam. Only God can provide salvation from sin and its condemnation. 

Jesus Christ is the second Adam, whose perfect life and obedience to the Father undid the sin of the first Adam. 

God made His own Son to be sin for us so that we might be born again and brought into the family of God.

We were the enemies of God but through gospel preaching and repentant faith in Christ, we can be reconciled to God. 

We can be born again as Jesus told Nicodemus (See John 3). 

Our old life, old sinful habits, old circle of friends will pass away as God makes us a new creation in Christ. 

New life in Christ confers immense spiritual blessings and purpose. 

We are to be ambassadors for Christ while we live our lives on earth. 

An ambassador for the United States lives in another country. 

An Ambassador is to represent America's interests to the country he is stationed in. 

Yet, he is also required to maintain obedience and allegiance to American laws.

In like manner we are to live as strangers, pilgrims who are just passing through this world. 

But, we are to live as children of God, children of light who share the gospel with those who do not know God. 

We are in the world but not of the world. Our loyalty is with God and what He says to us in His Word. We are to live by God's law even if it puts us in conflict with man's laws.

This is where the Spirit of God led Paul to begin his letter to all the churches in Galatia. 

First, Paul established his apostolic authority and his commission from Jesus Christ.

Second, Paul beautifully exposited a concise summary of the gospel of Christ. 

Paul will build on this foundation to immediately issue an aggressive rebuke of those who professed faith in Christ but were now falling into Judaism.

Paul will pronounce judgment upon those who were guilty of propagating another gospel which is a false gospel.

His message is greatly needed in our time because many false teachers use various media platforms to deceive those who view or listen.

Let us anchor our soul to what God actually says to us in His Word.

Let us reject any other gospel than the gospel of Christ preached by the apostles.

Let us glorify God for this mighty gospel of grace filled with His mercy because of the redeeming work of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Let us praise God with hearts full of assurance from His Word.

Bob